The car features many proprietary components -- notably French "PRV"
V-6 and five-speed transaxle. It was assembled at a new purpose-built factory
in Northern Ireland. The “DMC-12” was promoted to the skies, but sales never
met estimates. Numerous assembly problems forced costly fixes, and the firm's
finances were both complex and evidently shady. The 1981-1982 DeLorean “DMC-12” was the most notorious car since the
Tucker, not so much for its abundant faults as the scandal involving its
creator: former Pontiac engineer, Pontiac/Chevrolet chief John Z. DeLorean.

The coup de grâce was DeLorean's 1982 indictment on drug charges. He was later
cleared of allegations that he bilked some of his investors, including the
British government, which had bankrolled the plant. DeLorean Motor Company went
bankrupt in late 1982, forcing some 1200 late-production cars to be sold at
some $6,000 off list by a Columbus, Ohio, liquidator. A planned sedan and turbo
conversion were left stillborn.

Today, the “DMC-12” seems an honest if flawed car. And unlike Preston Tucker,
John Z. built more than a token few. Still, the model remains a classic case of
a swinger's ego overpowering common sense.Pluses of the 1981-1982 DeLorean “DMC-12:”